Sound creating device



IN VEN TOR.

oct 2, 1951 w. A. GARRATT souND CREATING DEVICE wml/dug.

ATM/W atented ct.

Haltern. Garrett. Covington,

Ky., assignor to t Yeadsrlemith, Gavinana lim efthe-aepreeeh of thevehiele'- he-,herrileflthie invention ie inelueiveef .e valteen lef that type .in which the Spend is Created by the rapid @emilie anaelesine etA telve .thetvibleetety` metien ef the VaIVebeiQe eausei vby means-afan dehveted ,under measure.

o The -r reeent .iinnrewements .relate te Struttura Qf the typadieeleed-in the ennlieante :Pending emalieetin etialN-etllwailedpeeenbei@ lala new U. Sleater.; `v2,492,740, vandQept'itlged "SounduCreatingDevice. 4 i

.lthaebeen thetebiefetfef the@resent .inventer- ZO provide a lhorn conStructionof the character disclosed in the co-,pendin case in which the manufacture [is .greatly ,S'iirlreliiledv and the here aeeemleled veryeuieklya .further ,detect has @een te nrw/ide .Inicial tene here1in-whichtheAreeerlatertartsinelude vibrant disc of one piece appropriately placed between the resenefter parte tefpmvide the. eeverel orifices in propehlrflltionship to the resonator ehambers- Theetrueturefeeeiieelesed ,S .re dily assembled Within @easing and 11h Rattus :appreprietelyladheeively attached er fileeleltefgether.

It has beenattll furtherebieet te prevjfiela eempaettruetureWhereinthelenethhfthe met paseeges to ,the ieeenater ehambets heraltere-.d te ueeewfeagreater ,leitet renee A'lheinlet passage/S. are fermeelinlthe `resemater ,body and thus ete nQtextraneeuS .parte :Suela est. t f

A StilILfIather omelet has heen ,tie prei/.isle .e hernvofthe ehevetnee which ineefeeratesevelve Seat .formed ef llibher er theglike,wherenpihe valve A seat Vfunctions. `u fitliout com rnnnicating v1'- brationalgforceto the remainder ofthe structure which would most Vcertainly occur if -the vv alve seat were rigid. V This permits `all the energy, generatedby the delivery cf air-under pressurefto be converted intosound, and accordinglyyery littleV air pressure and uelryflittle volume are nrequired. y

-Further objectsMrelate 1- toe-the arrangement. ofk the air intake passagewayethroughthe 'unit-tothe compressible. bulb as well las the appropriate valve Whichisdncorporatedin the vibrantA disc andin the intake passagethrough. which theair. is drawn intofgthe; interior-of the,` bulb -for compressionrand` delivery-:to thefresonators.

fother objectsgandladvantages ofitherir-wention will belrnorewully apparent :from a description ef the eeeenpanyiae' drawings in -Whfehf Eigure lis a general View of the .horn showing ,partly inlsection `soas to illustrate the general asleemlely ef the @erfe- FigureV 2fis anfe ploded View lshowing the ,vali- -S Qf the 190m' i Y `re 3 ie e -ffent View ef the resenater heed.- 1gi11ge .4 isa lfront View ofthe resonator. Figure 5 is enealereedreer viewef theseund creating y"unit, part of the casing `being broken away fr illustre-tipe inlet pee'seees mattie .reeor nator relative to the casing whereby .the 4Iith Q f-the here may be varied Eigure 6 is `a View taken VVsimilar to Figure `5 Showing V-`the parte in e -clfierent .peeitien efed- RSJHQ ,Figure 'lisa faceyiew cf the rubberdiaphragm er Y terltdse" AFiewee:8.1.5r a eeetenal AView teken on lille, 8-8

Faire le. meningite air atake eeatr'elfer tliehela Fie, ere 9 is.. e Aeeetierlal new teken en line .i3-.9) Flaute f8, ,illiietretinelthe reseneter ensiluetien inleleeill lfigure 1 0 Yis a sectional View taken `on line creating unit isthbasic partof the-horn,

meansier ,Supplying elif te the Seeed 'Creatine unit, andmans f or Aprojecting and amplifying the'spundproduced. :These-three primary parts or units In'ayfhe referredto as-the sound` generator unit :Hiya compressible rubber-bulb Il, and a sound projecting chamber -l2 ,whichisfalso the rarnestructure. An attachment means isprovided` generally indicated at 93 andvdesignedefor attaching the horn, for example. `to the handle- .-ar ofahicycle.

Deecrioveld in detail, `the main or basic unit, that is, the sound generator" unit .l Il` consists of threemain parts, the resonatorbody iSVthe resonatorheadcl and2thelcasing Jl into whichL the first twomparts' are fitted. A .vibrankdisc 15,8` formed -of rubber or some equivalent. material is disposed `.between the resonator L- anclithe resor-` natorfheadi. The partsJhand Itzangjwthe the l partsl tc. the other 1throughfthewibrant" disc.`

thecunfshaped casi 1 tl hy anw sach ,as` adhesive. :These parts, vwithf 3 tion of the vibrant disc, may be readily molded of plastic.

The parts I5 and I6 include aligned bores or passageways, these bores being indicated at in the resonator and 2| in theresonator head. In the present disclosure, two of such passageways are disclosed although it will be apparent that a single one or a plurality may be used.

The present horn may be described as a twotone horn. The air to the respective passageways is admitted through the closure end 22 of the casing through orifices 23 into channels 46, these orifices being diametrically opposite andV disposed adjacent the cylindrical wall 240i the casing.

The vibrant disc includes apertures 25, which apertures are co-aXially disposed relative tothe respective bores 20 and 2l. The valves 26 are disposed in the passageways or bores 2l of the resonator head. They consist of cup-shaped metal caps or discs.l Tubular amplifying elements 21' are provided and mounted in the bores '2| of the resonator head i6. The tubes or pipes provide for the rst stage of amplification of the sound. The valves 26 are contained within counterbores 29 of the respective tubes. The external diameter of the valve is less than the internal diameter of thebore 2'9 so that the sound may pass around the valve outwardly through the tube 'when the valve is unseated.

The valve, in each case, is held against the vibrant disc over the aperture thereof (Figure 9) by means of a coil spring 30 disposed under compression between the valve and a shoulder 3l at the inner end of the bore 29. The coil spring iits in the cupped end of the valve and accordingly, the flat closure end of the valve rests against themargin of the orifice 25 of the vibrant disc.; ,l part of the bore 29 of the amplifying tubeQ. duced bore portion 32 is provided and from this ilares to the discharge end of the tube. The resonator head I6 (Figure 3) includes a hub 34,' the end of which is fashioned to form a three point cam 35. The amplifying tubes 21 contain as integral parts, segmental bearing points 31. To secure the slight tension required on the spring Y3|), the tube 21 is pushed rmly into the hub 34 until contact with the cam surfaces is made. AV twist of several degrees will cause the tube to move in or out. Friction will hold the tube until the cement is applied. This operation is performed according to sound while the horn is being assembled and tuned. Some variation of pitch will occur with the change of spring tension, but the function of Vpitch range belongs to the adjustment provided for lengthening or shortening of the resonator channels 46 desoribed'later.

The rubber bulb H has itsnopen end 38 engaged over the sound unit (Figure 1) including a sleeve portion 39 for this purpose. The sleeve portion includes shoulders 40 spaced apart internally of the sleeve the approximate width of the sound unit so as to be held therein against axial displacement. The bulb is spherical. AirV is drawn into the bulb through a rell or intake passageway 4I extending through both the resonator head and the resonator (Figure 8) and through a bore 42 in the head end of the casing l1 which provides the entrance into the interior of the bulb. V

The vibrant disc includes a flap type valve member 43 provided by making a circular cut in the disc Vand leaving a portion uncut. This flap the flush surface of the resonator head adjacent the .aforesaid recess 44.

The air is supplied to the resonator as stated by compression of the rubber bulb. The air supply holes 23 are disposed adjacent to and enter Vgrooves-.46 formed in the rear face of the resonator body concentrically thereof. The outer ends of' these grooves are closed as at 41 and the inner ends 48 curvetoward the bores 20 to enter the bores tangentiallyi These grooves with the openings 23 constitute air passages, the effective lengths of which are varied for varying the pitch. The effect of rotating the assembly is to move the openings 23 along the grooves farther away from or closer to the bore 20. Thus the active length of the channels may be varied by this adjustment to procure the notes desired.

. These channels thus can have substantial length passageway 4l with tliegopeningY 42 in the back' andV effectively provide the length necessary to the procurance of notes in the desired ranges.

The back of the resonator includes a cavity as at 50 (Figure 8). This cavity connects the of the casing which admits the air to the bulb. Since the cavity 50 has substantial circumferential length an'd the openings 4l and 42 are 'dis` posed the same distance from the axis of the 40: casing, air will pass through this common chamber as long as the rotative'adjustment is within the limits of the cavityV 50. A similar cavity 5l, disposed diametrically opposite, conserves Vmaterial.

In order to provide for the second stage of amplication, a thimble-shaped hood 53 is mounted over the amplifier tubes 21. This hood is inverted with respect to the tubes, that is to say, their outletsV project the sound against the bottom 54 of the hood and the direction of the sound travel is reversed to pass out the rearwardly disposed open end 55 of the hood element. The hood element is conical in Yshape in order to permit the sound to spread out as it moves rearwardly away from the discharge ends of the amplier tubes. Thehood includes a centrally di-` ametrically disposed partition 56 so that each amplifier tube projects into an independent chamber. This partition 56 projects beyond the open end of the hood element as at 51 and seats in a slot 58 provided between the hubs of the resonator head. An appropriate attachment is, provided at this point, the hood, in this casep being plastic and the attachment being by means of some adhesive or fusion of the parts. VVThis partition is notched as at 58 (Figure 8) to clear,

the entrance to the refill or intake passageway 4l into the bulb. The partition'is beneficial although not strictly necessary. Y Y

. Thebell or sound projection casing l2 may be of Vplastic or metal. It includes a flared main portion 66 and a cylindrical bearing portion 6| which engages upon the exterior of the attachment portion of the rubber bulbV Il. This element may include a flange 62 fitted tothe spherical contour agscoffre df the nitsertulb. Trie Louter *chir-offrire beu is furtliei-flared at "63 'forjembellish'innt `l'n order to provide ifor the "continuous "fiowif sol'iid, "the inner end of 1Athe llod 's ythus gsuflntly 'spaced `frofn ltle Sound "unit u"ais "atf'll to Ilernit an Llnrestrictedflovv 'outf the e'nd of rthe hood and for reversal so astobe'projectedito the op'en end of` lthe ilared sound projecting chainber. Thus, "thesound "travels 4irornthe rubber disc through the Vamplifying tubes, l'reverses Yto pass out vthe vrearer'id of thehood a `'second stage "of ainpliificati'onv and reverses r"as'g'ain'to pass out the `rvv'a'rlil end of tliebe'llgrsofldprltion 'chamber ltoprovde the' third stage of :ampline'atio'n.

in Vorder 'to provide "an added purpose for the horn, areiledtfve glas'sjvvel or dis'c65l`is inserted inthe' frwarny `imposed closed-endof the `nood andthus 'fwill 'rick up ligntthfown'toward the hor'n 'as 4the vehicle is faoingtoivard the -source dflignt. y y p The horn "iS attached t the `han'ilebarM by of the attachment 'means I3. The Vbracket f3 Vincludes a split clamping means. The split clamping 'means includes Aupper 'and "lowerele- I'r'ihts indicated 'at 'l0 and 1|, respectively, 'and adaptdto "generally encircle the handle'bar indicated at I4 (Figure l). A pair ofs'c'ievvs`12'f'l2 vvith companion nut's13^13 "attach together the adjacent'ends of the clamping elenie'rits. The 'upper clamping ring 'lll'includes 1a Acuppezd disc 74 which engages and fits the underside ofa' circular lug`1`5"vvhich is a part'of tliejsound projection casing l2. This vcircular lu'g `15 has a rounded edge and nests in the'cupped disc'so as torest Within and rotate relative "to thedisc.

Afplit clamping ring, consistingof elements ''6-T6,'encrc1es thelug 15"'an`d the margin 11 oi the cuppeddisc and holds'these 'parts in rotative connection. The elements 'I6-'I6 have their adjacent 'ends joined bym'eans of screws 18 and utsS `('Figure `10) for tighteningthe clamping elements'to "provide the proper frictional -engagementbetween the cupped disc and the circular lug. Thus, the operatorimay"rctativelyadjustbr swing 'the horn ina horizontal plane for properly directing it after it is placed on the Handlebar.

Intheoperation of the device as the 'compressor 'bulb is squeezed, air under pressure passes through thea'pertures in the 'casing through the channels of variable length into "the resonator through thelpassages 2n thereupon denectin-gthe suspended areas 'of the vibrant disc andiiinally unseatihg the valves toescape through the Ylpipes or tubes as a musical note. As pointed oit'in the previous case, the suspended portiono'f a rubber discr bulges outwardly carrying th'efvalve out- WardlyL-With'it against the springtension. However, the valve vvill not be `uiiseateduntil the elastioproperties of the disc relache 'tensionrequiririg greater pressure to continue than that necessary to unseat 'the valve. Whenthis tensin risfraclicl, the 'valve' breaks contaolwththc dise Suddenly 'so that the escape ofair Viefsubstaiitlally explosive. These moviiint's of the valve are'in accord 'with the freeuecyrepresentedby itsmusical note.

"The vibration of the valve and thernvements of the' seat are produced Iwith'liut `v`ry little prssure. The orice tends to enlarge since'"th`e"'disc has become 'convex but fsfestramea' 'from doing so While engaged Withthe v alvebecauseoffricnon. 'when 'thevalveiiftsjthe' 'rinee snaps to a larger diameter; Becausebf `itsligte1""Wilft and" tniis'smaiier inertia, 'the seat inse retur'risro ncmiaimore lrapidly than the valve. Thejprow jectedienergy is absorbed bythe spri'giaid flturns the valve. However, since ftliereturn oifth valve is later :in Athe cycle than the return ofthe seat to its normal position, 'there is more'clear-v ance and, therefore, when the valve Ls`ea`^t`s-itjfdos so squarely and with considerable impact. hThis impact 'energy being transferred lto vthe rubber disc is converted by rebound to the reversal lof the valve for the next cycle. A

It is obvious, of course, that the valve assembly represents a definite Weight. This a'ctmtistbc included in all calculations. ATherefarea numf'ber of factors which contribute or *c'oordinatefrhythfmically to the creation of 'sound such-astliiepul-` sations of air set up under the disc 4as opposed t'o the acoustic loading which iin-parts tanin-ti-'re mittent thrust on `the outside of the dis'cftlietivo actions being one-half a'cycle apart. y The `whole purpose is to produce la serlesf minor explosions setting up a carrier ivvaveff semi-musical quality upon whlchmay :be irnpressed resonance, h'armonicsand overtcn'es. The result is an efciently articulated Amusical note capable of wide Variation in thejmanufa'cture. These variations are a result of alterations such as allowing the spring freedom to 'clatten ith-iis emitting the sound characteristics inherent-ima tempered spring or mountingrontl'ie*vibration valve a section of tuned wire. Y i

It is a fact that a column voiair 'underY some com-pressionis a vigorous conductorof sounda by its very nature is extremely sensitive and vill amplify a faint sound many times. A passage plus a resonator bore form resonance of `definite pitch. For example, the pitch maybe varied from that represented by `a short passage down to the longer extreme through "which variation, a range of over an octave may be obtained. "If-a still lower tone is desired, the valve may lbe"^`'1`alz heavier and the same Variations in passage used'. When applying air to operate `the scunderffa coupling of much greater area than "theiresonators must be usedsuch as that of the bulbH The reason for this is that each of the two"reso' nators is sympathetic to the vibration perioiifi'presented by its own resonance. `Therefore,'ifth'e sound unit is joined to a receptacle Vof greater dimensions and consequently differentpitch'h resonator Will isolate itselfand remain harmonious. If it is desired to use a source ofair 'from a long hose, it will still be necessary to interpose a container of at least one cubicinch between the air supply and the sounder. If this 'Wereniot done, the air vibration set upin the 'sounder would tend to continue on down thesupplyhose and the formula would cease to exist. Theremay be sounds but so many variables would' make' it pure chance; therefore, some such sonic iilter should be specied.

One method to employ indescribing VthisdeE Vice is to 'consider thata 'jet of 'air isreleased duringthe period of one degreeon the top peak of the sine curve, hence the phrase minute ex--V plosion. Y With respect to pitch variation; it'willbe'ntetl that the resonator bore 2il,`plu's the'channel "46, in each case, constitutesa resonator ofcalculated displacement area and, therefore, itvvillbe constant in pitch. 'Rotating the casing'and'resoinator relatively in one direction Wi1l"causea` shortening of the activelength oftheair"pas sage through" thechannel 46 resulting in aihigher pitch, and by the 'same token, 'lengthening' vvlll lower' th'epitch. 'Arangeof'severaltnotesmayi-be obtained-fin this manner. A still further-range maybe secured by substituting valves of greater weight or byvarying the thickness of the vibrant disc. Another variation, for instance, toward lower pitch would be to add thickness or weight to the Vibrant disc around the valve aperture.

A heavier valve will produce slower pulsations, thereby allowing the resonator to close for longer intervalsV in each cycle, thus lowering the pitch. Conversely, if resonator capacity is reduced, the resulting higher pitch will compel the vibration timing to conform in sympathy. The volume of sound may be increased by using amplifying members of greater length than those disclosed.

Thus, it will be seen that a horn is provided in 4which the resonator means is designed for the input side of the horn. A column of air is vibrated thereby to produce notes of pitch consistent with the length or area of the resonator passages and amplication occurs on the output side of the unit.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A sound creating device comprising; a resonator, a resonator head, a vibrant disc formed of a sheet of rubber or the like secured between said resonator and resonator head, said resonator and resonator head including aligned openings constituting air passageways, said vibrant disc including openings co-axial with the aligned openings in the resonator and resonator head, air delivery channels formed within the resonator and communicating withthe respective air passageways in the resonator, means for creating air flow through said air delivery channels, valve elements disposed against the margins of the respective openings in the vibrant disc on the side opposite to the side into which the air is delivered, means for urging said Valve elements against the vibrant disc, amplifying tubes secured to said resonator head for continuing the air passageways therefrom, and means for individually adjusting the respective lengths of said tubes.

` 2,. Asound creating device comprising; a resonator, a resonator head, a vibrant disc formed of a sheet of rubber or the like secured between said resonator and resonator head, said resonator and resonator head including aligned openings 'constituting air passageways, said vibrant disc including openings co-axial with the aligned openings in the resonator and resonator head, air delivery channels formed within the resonatoran'd in communication with the respective air passageways within the resonator, means for adjusting simultaneously the effective lengths of said channels, means for creating air flow through said air delivering channels and said air passageways, valve elements disposed against the margins of the respective openings in the vibrant disc on the side or the vibrant disc opposite the resonator, spring means for urging said valve elements against the vibrant disc, and sound amplifying means secured to said resonator head.

3. A sound creating device comprising; Ya resonator, a'resonator head, a vibrant disc formed of asheet of rubber or the like secured between .said resonator and resonator head, a ,casing consisting of a cup shaped member containing said resonanator, a resonator head, a vibrant disc formed of tor and resonator head, said resonator Vand resoa nator head including aligned openings constituting air passageways, said vibrant discincluding openings co-aXial with the aligned openings in the 4resonator and resonatorhead, air delivery passageways formed in the resonator and enteringthe air passageways in thelresonator, said casing including inlet orifices for, admitting "air,

a sheet of rubber or the like secured between said resonator and resonator head, said resonator and resonator head including aligned openings constituting air passageways, said vibrant disc including openings co-axial with the aligned openings in the resonator and resonator head, air delivery passageways formed in the resonator and entering the air passageways in the resonator, means for creating air flow through said air delivery passageways, valve elements disposed against the margins of the respective openings in the vibrant disc on the side opposite the resonator, spring means for urging said valve elements against the .vibrant disc, amplifying tubes secured to said resonator head for continuing the air'passageways therefrom, means for adjusting the respective lengths of said tubes, an amplifier hood mounted over the tubes, and a sound projecting casing disposed about the hood.

5. In a sound creating device, a resonator including Vresonator' passages, a vibrant disc disposed across the passages and including openings therein co-axial with the resonator passages but of smaller size, valves disposed against one side of said disc over said openings, means for delivering air through the disc from the other side thereof, amplifier tubes mounted on the resonator and extending the resonator passages to provide for sound ampliiication, and means for independently axially adjusting the amplier tubes in order to vary the effective length of said tubes.

6. A sound creating device comprising; a resonator unit having a plurality of resonator chambers extended therethrough, a valve seat element mounted in said unit across said chambers, said valve seat element consisting of a disc of pliable material having a plurality of apertures therein,

Vone for each resonator chamber, valve discs yieldably engaged against the outlet side of said valve seat element and engaging said seat element marginally of each of the respective apertures therein, and air delivery passageways entering said resonator unit on the side of said valve seat element opposite the valve discs, said air delivery passageways consisting of channels formed in the resonator unit. Y

7. In a sound creating device, a resonator including resonator passages, a vibrant disc disposed across the passages and including openings therein co-aXial with the resonator passages but of smaller size, valves disposed against one side of said disc over said openings, means for delivering air through the disc from the other side thereof, amplifier tubes mounted on the resonator and extending the resonator passages to provide for sound amplification, said tubes `being telescopically and rotatably engaged and including cam portions, said resonator including cam portions component to those of the tubes, whereby rotation ofthe tubes will vary the effective length of said tubes.

8. In a sound creating device, a resonator having resonator passages therethrough, a exible vibrant'disc having portions disposed across said passages and including openings disposed coaxially with the respective passageways, lsaid openings being of smaller diameter than the passageways, valve means in the respective passageways engaging the margins of the openings in the dise at the discharge side thereof, air delivery channels formed in the resonator and entering the input side of said resonator passages, said channels being of sufficient length to provide for variation in the pitch of the notes resulting as the air is delivered through the openings in the vibrant disc, means for adjusting and setting the length of said channels to procure the desired notes and, means for delivering air under pressure through said channels and through said resonator passages for delivering sound beyond the valves.

9. In a sound creating device, a pair of circular elements constituting parts of a resonator, a, thin pliable disc interposed between said elements, said elements including a pair of aligned passageways therethrough parallel with the axis thereof, said disc including openings therein of small diameter than the diameters of the passageways whereby the margins of the openings in the disc are unsupported, valve means for the respective passageways controlling the openings in the discs, channels for delivering air to the passages at the side of the disc opposite to the valves, and means for adjusting simultaneously the effective lengths of the channels whereby the pitch of sound produced may be varied.

10. In a sound creating device, a resonator, a resonator head, a flexible vibrant disc interposed between the resonator and resonator head, said resonator and resonator head including aligned openings constituting air passageways, said disc including openings disposed co-axially with the respective air passageways, said openings being of smaller diameter than the air passageways, valve means mounted in the respective air passageways Within the resonator head and engaging the margins of the openings in the disc, air delivery channels formed within the resonator and communicating with the respective air passageways, means for adjusting simultaneously the effective lengths of the air delivery channels whereby the pitch of sounds produced may be raised or lowered, amplifier tubes mounted on the resonator head and leading from the respective air passages, and means for individually adjusting the eiective lengths of the tubes whereby they may be tuned independently of one another.

11. In a sound creating device, a resonator. air passageways extending through the resonator, sound producing means within each of the air passageways responsive to air iiow therethrough, air delivery channels formed within the resonator at one side thereof communicating with the respective air passageways, means for adjusting simultaneously the effective lengths of the air delivery channels whereby the pitch of sounds produced by the sound producing means may be varied, amplifier tubes mounted on the resonator at the side opposite the air delivery channels and leading from the respective air passageways, and means for individually adjusting the efective lengths of the tubes whereby they may be tuned independently of one another.

WALTER A. GARRATT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of `record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,568,101 Taylor Jan. 5i, 1926 1,875,813 Kaplan et al Sept. 6, 1932 2,158,537 Garratt May 16, 1939 2,492,740 Garratt Dec. 27, 1949 

